Jaeger-LeCoultre

This year certainly is the year of the Polaris, for Jaeger Lecoultre, but the brand didn't forget another icon from its rich history, the Reverso. 

Three new Reverso are unveiled this year, and among them, a pure jewel, the Reverso Tribute Small Seconds, Blue. 

When it comes to small seconds and Reverso manual winding movements, you have to remember some models, such as: 

- The Reverso Grande Ultra Thin Chocolate, Rose Gold, in 2014:

- The Reverso Grande Ultra Thin Tribute to 1948, in steel, unveiled in 2014, too:

The Reversos Grande Ultra Thin have a 46, 8 mm x 27, 4 mm big and 7, 3 mm high case. 

With the brand new Reverso Tribute Small Seconds, the case is a tad thinner ( 8, 5 mm high ) and smaller ( 45, 6 x 27, 4 mm ). 

It is in steel, and water resistant to three bars, with a solid case back, which will allow you to personalize it as you want. 

Those who felt that the Reverso Grande Ultra Thin was too big for them, and that the Reverso Tribute Duo from 2016 was slightly too small will find, with that new Reverso Tribute Small Seconds, a well proportioned Reverso. 

Personally, I am very happy with the size of the Tribute Duo ( 42, 8 x 25, 5 x 9, 15 mm ). 

The movement is the Cal 822/2, manual winding, made of 108 parts, beating at the pace of 21, 800 alternances per hour, with a power reserve of 45 hours. Well, the same movement than the 2 Reverso Ultra Thin mentioned above.

The dial is a major part of this watch. Compared to the Grande Ultra Thin Chocolate or Tribute 1948, the differences are the color of the dial, of course, and the shape of the small seconds subdial. 

The sunray blue dial is eye catching, yes, but let me tell you that it is very difficult to take in picture. Surprisingly, it comes out in purple. But in the real light, it is really blue. I cannot tell you why it turns to purple, but it is a big part of the charm of this watch. 

It has the applied indices and hands of the Tribute Duo, which adopt a difference style than the Grande Ultra Thin. I find them less " historical " and more sensual. 

Now the controversial point... The round small seconds subdial, borrowed to the Tribute Duo. As I like the Reverso Tribute Duo a lot, I am not disturbed by that detail. I understand that the rectangular dial is more historical, first, then more in harmony with the natural shape of the case, but, like for the hands, I find the round subdial more sensual, breaking the " rectangularity " of the Reverso in an elegant way. 

I wouldn't end without mentioning the last part of the watch, the strap, made by Fagliano. The good thing is that, since then, we had classic colors, black, or brown. Now, we have a superb blue calf strap, with a contrasting lighter blue stitching. Really superb and comfortable. 

And I am not tender with Jaeger Lecoultre straps, usually. But for a few years, now, there are some big improvements in terms of quality. 

Since 2011 and the introduction of the Reverso Ultra Thin, we had some masterpieces, such as the Tribute To Reverso 1931, black or red, the Tribute to 1948 or Reverso Grande Ultra Thin Chocolate shown above, and the Tribute Duo. 

This one is, in my opinion, a great one, one of the greatest. 

Looking forward to reading your thoughts and comments,

Best. 

Nicolas